Best Practice
RecognitionThe City of Danbury and USFilter
Privatization of Wastewater
Treatment Services

Like many municipalities, the City of
Danbury, Connecticut, was faced with making important changes in the
delivery of its wastewater treatment services. Danbury Mayor Gene F.
Eriquez had a tough set of requirements for any changes: (1) maintain or
exceed historic levels of performance in effluent quality measures; (2)
guarantee the employment of all existing city personnel; (3) meet current
and future environmental requirements; and (4) stabilize utility rates for
Danbury’s citizens.

To meet these requirements, the City decided
in October 1997 to enter into a 20-year partnership agreement with
USFilter to operate its 15.5 million gallons per day treatment facility
and 13 pump stations. At the outset of the partnership, USFilter provided
the City with $10 million for infrastructure needs. The City used the $10
million to close in an existing landfill. In addition, USFilter agreed not
only to take on 14 city employees with comparable wages and benefits, but
added additional training and advancement opportunities. These employees,
during their first year with USFilter, were nominated for a variety of
awards and won several regional EPA excellence awards.

Danbury’s ratepayers will benefit from new
infrastructure and guaranteed performance over the next twenty years as
well as stable user fees. Already improved operating efficiencies, more
effective maintenance, and a team of well-trained employees have improved
city services. The City has already realized additional revenues from
USFilter’s development and management of an expanded septage-receiving
program, and the City will also be able to rely on USFilter for ongoing
advice on regulatory compliance and infrastructure improvement.

USFilter actively participates in the community. On any given day,
USFilter staff can be found giving tours of the facility to plumbing
classes from the local technical school or sponsoring a local baseball
team, the Jaycees, or the Mayor’s Cup Golf Tournament. USFilter also
contributes to and participates in the Still River Alliance, whose goal is
to develop access and recreational use of the Still River. The Still River
receives a large portion of its flow from the Danbury Treatment
Facility.